Here’s hoping the best scenario does come to pass: That the Iraqi army mostly surrenders en masse; that there is as little civilian death as possible; that a democracy — and a sustainable economy — flowers in Iraq; that we have the political will to help stabilize the region; and that we don’t, instead, leave the area in such chaos that we’re less able than ever to pinpoint and prevent acts of terrorism.

We won’t know for five or six years, so, for now, nothing to do but hope.